A mum and her teenage daughter had a lucky escape from a house fire in Coulby Newham. Two appliances were sent the blaze on Hazelbank at about 10am yesterday.

A 40-year-old mother and her 16-year-old daughter were taken to James Cook University Hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and shock. Brian Sturrock, watch manager at Coulby Newham Fire Station, said: "The fire was in a downstairs kitchen, we believe in the boiler, and it went up via a service flu into the first floor bathroom and into the loft. It had the potential to be very serious, but fortunately we got it under control."

Crash driver safe

A DRIVER escaped with minor injuries when her car left the road near Newton Aycliffe. One fire appliance was sent to a stretch of the A1M near the Bradbury junction at about 1.15pm yesterday. The female driver was released from the vehicle before the arrival of firefighters, who made the car safe.

Baby death inquest

AN inquest has been opened and adjourned into the death of a newborn baby. Kimberly Nodding, 21, gave birth to Brogan at her home at Jervaulx Road, Saltburn, on January 22, 2006. He was rushed to James Cook University Hospital where he died later that day. The inquest at Middlesbrough heard evidence of identification from his grandmother Marie Stoker, 39, of Errington Street, Brotton.